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Pricing & Classification DMM Advisory

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June 1, 2020

International Service Impact: Alternate Transport – Fourth Air to Sea Diversion to Rotterdam

On May 20, 2020, a fourth sea transport departed with volume from the Chicago, JFK, and Miami International Service Centers and is estimated to arrive at the Rotterdam (Netherlands) port on June 15, 2020. Sea route arrival dates are not exact and may vary depending on weather related events and queuing at port of arrival. The vessel is carrying an estimated 6,300 receptacles in six (6) containers weighing roughly 37,000 kilograms. It is serving mail destined to:

  • Austria
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Hungary
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland (Geneva and Zurich)

When calculating estimated delivery times, additional days required for unloading, customs clearance and road transit should be considered. The table below outlines a typical sea transit delivery cycle that begins upon arrival to the destined port:

Rotterdam Port
Unloading

Rotterdam Port
Custom Clearance /Clear Customs

Rotterdam Port
Transit to Den Hague OE

Den Hague OE
Acceptance & Sorting

Den Hague OE
Road Transit to Delivery Address

1-2 Days

2 Days

1 Day

2-3 Days

1-4 Days

*OE = Office of Exchange

This transportation alternative will be used for the following mail classes: Priority Mail Express International® (PMEI), Priority Mail International® (PMI), First-Class Mail International® (FCMI), First-Class Package International Service® (FCPIS®), International Priority Airmail® (IPA®), International Surface Air Lift® (ISAL®), and M-Bag® items.

Alternate transit options will remain in effect until sufficient air transportation capacity becomes available.

The Postal Service™ is closely monitoring service impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to update customers until the situation returns to normal.

Please visit our International Service Alerts page for the most up to date information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/?utm_source=residential&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=res_to_intl